TrueHoop Network 2009-2010 Preview: The Rest of the Network

There are two main reasons Tim and I enjoy being associated with the TrueHoop Network: the thoughtful and articulate readership we’ve gained since joining, and the insight of our wonderful colleagues. That’s why we wanted to direct your attention to the other previews posted around the Network today. In particular I’d like to thank Henry Abbott and Kevin Arnovitz of TrueHoop and Spencer Ryan Hall of Salt City Hoops for their hard work this preseason.

If you aren’t excited for the NBA season, well… first off double check and make sure you still have a pulse. When you’re done with that, take a quick glance around the network. It’ll be sure to get you fired up.

“The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.”

36

“During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the teamâ€™s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Donâ€™t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.”

43

“After last seasonâ€™s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this seasons whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.”

61

â€œ’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.”

50

“The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.”

53

“However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they wonâ€™t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasnâ€™t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here wonâ€™t be too steep.”

36

“Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.”

28

“The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketballâ€™s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artestâ€™s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesnâ€™t matter.”

32

“[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but theyâ€™re something. Griffinâ€™s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.”

32

64

Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue

“The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest wonâ€™t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?”

44

“If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But thatâ€™s a lot of ifs.”

29

“”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.”

34

“Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic arenâ€™t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.”

59

“The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.”

39

“Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.”

46

“The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.”

53

“Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every teamâ€™s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.”

22

During the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Rileyâ€™s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jacksonâ€™s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jacksonâ€™s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. Thatâ€™s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.”

55

41

“With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.'”

42

* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers.

I wonder what the Denver guy is smoking if he thinks Nene and Birdman exceeded expectations last year, but Billups didn’t… that, or he should improve in expectations management!

09.20.21.50

Any Chicagoans going to the game this Thursday? I would love to meet some Spur fans out here and glorify our beloved organization.

http://www.48minutesofhell.com Graydon Gordian

09.20.21.50,

I’m going to the game, but in a journalistic capacity so I may have to get there a bit early and hit the keyboard immediately afterwords. If other people wanna hang out, feel free to use the comment thread to get organized. If I can make it, I’ll try to swing by.

Either way, let’s definitely organize a Chi-town area Spurs fans get together in the near future. I’d be glad to meet up at a bar on any game night.

Sam – Australia

If only I wasn’t a few oceans away Graydon!

This season looks like a fun one, even if the play-offs might be reasonably predictable, I’ll be stuck in front of any media I can get!

If only we had more broadcasts here!

http://sabankshots.blogspot.com Jesse Blanchard

Anyone else going to opening night? (Obviously not the Chicago residents). So pumped for this season. Have been waiting since I bought my tickets last spring, and now it’s here!

Anyways, more season previews here: sabankshots.blogspot.com but not on teams, but rather, fans.

Dallas Mavericks

Strengths: Blonde hair and silicon. Lots and lots of Silicon.

Weaknesses: Delusions of grandeur. Reflect all the worst traits of irritating owner Mark Cuban. Knowledge of the game (?).

In the mind of the fans:

“20 and 10 last year? Nah, Duncan is washed up. Now Marion on the other hand!”

“Mark Cuban now has stats that tell us to think it was a good idea to dump an aging, has-been All-Star point guard for the ability to sign two never-were centers.

“Mark Cuban now has stats that tell us to think it was a brilliant idea to trade an up and coming All-Star point guard for what’s left of Jason Kidd.”

“Mark Cuban still tells us what to think.”

SAJKinBigD

Jesse: Living in Dallas, I can tell you that your assessment is SPOT on for most Mavs fans. I like and respect a couple of their players, but I cannot stand Cuban!